Kudos to Larry Craig, the veteran Republican Senator from Idaho for refusing to step down from his post. Now, I’m not a fan of hard line conservatism or pandering politicians (something of a redundancy), but I will not heap garbage on this guy.

We all know he’s gay. It’s so clear that Craig’s predicament, although I would wish it on nobody, reminds me of Scott Thompson’s character from Brain Candy, an obviously homosexual father of two who is in serious denial. At one point his psychiatrist, played by Dave Foley says to him, quite coldly after he’s been busted in a restroom gay sex sting, “You…are gay…You are gay. You’re a homosexual. You’re the opposite of straight, you’re gay. I know it, your family knows it, dogs know it. Everyone seems to know it except you!”

Thompson’s character then has a moment of clarity and catharsis.

I hope that Larry Craig will have a similar moment, perhaps one with a song and dance as well.

If he does, I don’t expect many of his colleagues in the Republican conference of the Senate to join him. Actually, they’ve thrown Craig under the bus.

I think it’s funny how infidelity, so long as it is heterosexual, is acceptable by these people. Let’s not forget that the hero of modern conservatism, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has had three wives (he served one of them with divorce papers while she was recovering from cancer surgery). Rudolph Giuliani, perhaps the Republican Presidential candidate, has also had three wives. Congressman from both parties (Republicans included) have carried on extramarital affairs and so few of them have had to step down.

Personally, I don’t think Craig should have stepped down and I’m happy to see him stay. until his full term is over. If anything, I think he should pull a Jay Billington Bulworth. For those of you who remember Bulworth, the main character, played by Warren Beatty is a disaffected U.S. Senator who hires a hit man to kill him so that his family can collect his insurance. In his final days, he becomes fearless (if not annoying. I’m not a big fan of the film) and does his best to bring some integrity to his time in office. Maybe Craig can do that. I’m sure he’s had some integrity on some issues, but maybe now is the time to be honest and stand up for himself. Larry, we all know you’re gay.It would be moving the Republicans in the right direction, I should think. Gays are here to stay. They don’t have horns and they’re a part of your party. They can be fiscally conservative, somewhat socially conservative (I know a gay man who is opposed to abortion) If for no other reason that it will make some of his colleagues sweat in their hypocrisy.